Since the Kansas City Chiefs must change course, the status quo must go.
As the final seconds ticked down on yet another playoff disappointment and frustrating end of a once promising season, fans and media alike appear to all agree on one common idea for the Kansas City Chiefs. That status quo must change, and it must do so immediately.
There are more topics that must be addressed beyond the oft-mentioned thread of Alex Smith’s future, a topic that we’ll circle back momentarily. While the highly likely departure of the veteran signal caller will likely take place, there are other issues that this organization must address if they ever want to advance to a conference championship game, let alone that really big important game that some teams know as the Super Bowl but Chiefs fans simply know as “party day.”
Another issue that isn’t discussed but to be addressed is the usage and scheme on defense, specifically with star edge Justin Houston. The soon to be 29-year-old edge player has been a force since joining the Chiefs as a third round pick in 2011. However, after watching Houston try to cover Antonio Brown in the playoffs last year and watching him drop back into coverage often this season, one has to wonder what in the world the scheme is that relies on Justin Houston dropping into coverage.
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
If the Chiefs are not going to simply let Justin Houston be, well, Justin Houston, he really is more valuable in a trade then then in the red and gold of the Chiefs. Quite simply, if the organization wants to find someone to NOT rush the passer, I can find that much much cheaper. This isn’t Justin Houston’s fault.
If Reid and company do bring back Bob Sutton, then the Chiefs should trade Justin Houston—not because he’s not a good player, but because what they are asking him to do doesn’t align with what he does exceptionally well (you know, rush the passer and stop the run). There is likely a team (or perhaps more then one) then would be very interested in acquiring the services of the 4 time Pro Bowl linebacker. For a team that appears on the precipice of rebuilding and reloading, perhaps the Chiefs would be better served without Houston if they don’t want to utilize the star’s skill set.
Back to Alex. We won’t spend a lot of space here simply because much of what’s been said here has already been said more times over. Does he win a lot of games? Yes. Is Smith a quality quarterback? Yes. Could the Chiefs figure out a way to bring him back next year? Yes. Could the Chiefs explain or sell to their fans how they are going to win in the playoffs with Smith as the quarterback? No.
After having issues selling tickets to the playoff game and empty seats showing up on the ESPN telecast, it’s difficult to impossible to imagine how the Chiefs would explain to a season ticket holder why they should continue to dump money into this team if they are not going to make changes. Empty seats would abound next season as fans move past their anger and frustration and move into what is the most dangerous—apathy.
Another reason why Kansas City should look at moving Alex Smith? The trade assets that would come back in a trade and the cap savings that are desperately needed will go along way in aiding the organization continue to stay competitive in the seasons to come.
Lastly, the last thing that must change is injuries. Not specifically players getting injured, as that always happens, but the team blaming injuries for their issues. A team that had troubles stopping the run for the past couple years blames injuries on their inability to stop Derrick Henry, despite their inability to stop Le’Veon Bell last year in the playoffs or seemingly anyone else this season. Tennessee had issues with injuries coming into the playoff game, including two defensive starters on IR and their ‘starting’ running back DeMarcco Murray down with a knee injury.
The growing talk from Chiefs coaches (namely Andy Reid) discussing injuries is a false narrative. Sure, Eric Berry returns next season. But who’s to say Marcus Peters isn’t injured, or Justin Houston isn’t injured. Every team in this league deals with injuries, it’s just part of the deal. Teams that win don’t complain or blame injuries, they overcome. This organization, this team, this quarterback—they don’t overcome.